Our study suggests for the first time that benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), a potential epigenetic disruptor, can lead to increased adipogenesis and metabolic dysregulation by impairing vital epigenetic regulators. Toxicology In Vitro.

The risk of early childhood acute respiratory infection (ARI) hospitalisation is increased by gas heater usage, specifically in the child’s bedroom. Use of non-gas forms of heating may reduce the risk of early childhood ARI hospitalisation. Environmental Health.

Rising fatalities from heart disease and stroke, diabetes, drug overdoses, accidents and other conditions caused the lower life expectancy revealed in a report released Thursday by the National Center for Health Statistics. Washington Post.[See the report: Mortality in the United States, 2015]

When the Environmental Protection Agency writes new chemical regulations under the amended toxics law it will need to apply conventional agency risk assessment norms or have to explain why it's not doing so, former EPA officials said. Bloomberg BNA.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to ban certain uses of the toxic chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) due to health risks when used as a degreaser and a spot removal agent in dry cleaning. Comments on the proposed rule must be received 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register.

Five west African countries have announced measures to end the practice of European oil companies and traders exporting "African quality" diesel—highly polluting fuels that could never be sold in Europe. The Guardian.

A significant part of what's gone wrong, Elver explains, is that international trade policies have allowed large food corporations to sell lots of soda, fast food, and other high calorie, nutrient-poor products made with cheap refined grains, corn sweeteners, and vegetable oil. Civil Eats.[See the Interim report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food]

On December 2, 2016, California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) finalized its regulation regarding point-of-sale (POS) warnings for canned and bottled foods and beverages if bisphenol A (BPA) has been intentionally used in a can, lid, or cap. Law Review.

In this secondary analysis of data from the Strong African American Families randomized clinical trial, childhood poverty was associated with diminished volume of brain limbic regions in adulthood. The parenting-focused intervention was associated with attenuations in risk for poverty and reduced brain development. JAMA Pediatrics.

In June 2016 the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a joint workshop to explore partnerships, data, and measurement at the intersection of the health care and transportation sectors.

Proposed research should develop and test innovative models or impact assessment approaches to examine causal relationships of chemical pollutants and health effects with modifying interactions among the variables representing all of the major stressors and factors involved in a person’s life. The deadline to submit proposals to EPA is March 2, 2017.

The state is taking another stab at dealing with one of the region's most persistent and threatening problems—unhealthy air pollution from heavy-duty diesel trucks traveling to and from its busiest ports. Montclair NJ Spotlight, New Jersey.